Regardless if you’re a first-time homeowner or not, getting a new home comes with the same challenges. Sure, most people are focusing on choosing the perfect wallpapers and furniture, which are clearly the most exciting aspects, and you can also improve your floors with a resin flooring company as well.
But how many of us know how to use the water shut off valve in case of a burst pipe?
Daunting as they may seem, some home maintenance tasks are crucial for you and your loved ones’ comfort and safety. Today, we’ll have a look at 7 essential maintenance tips which can quite literally save your home at some point!
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Double-check the foundation
A poorly built foundation can cause severe damage to your home which may sometimes cost you a fortune. Luckily, though, it’s all preventable, since all you have to do is double-check the foundation as soon as you move into your new property.
A common cause for foundation damage, for instance, is soil drenching which often happens due to rain and/or snow. Even the tiniest leak can allow water to enter through your home’s foundation, which leads to expanding cracks and serious problems.
Ideally, the ground around your home’s foundation should slope away from your house at least 6 inches.
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Check the attic insulation
The quality of your attic is just as important as your foundation. Most specialists recommend about 10-14 inches of insulation material on attics (the variation depends on which type of insulation you choose).
Even if your attic doesn’t have an insulation right now, adding one is a simple process that may cut down your bills significantly. In fact, researchers found that a well-insulated home can save up to 30% on your energy bills!
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Before you drill into walls…
…just think twice about the risks involved. For the past few years, DIY projects of all kinds have become very popular and for good reason: they’re fun, simple and you get a unique result that transforms your home instantly.
However, inside every wall there are wires, cables, pipes and ductwork – and chances are they’re placed differently in each home. To eliminate any potential risks, it’s best to use a battery-operated stud sensor; this device can show you where cables, ducts and studs are inside the walls.
Note that even these devices aren’t always 100% accurate, so if you’re planning on a big project, it’s best to ask for professional help to avoid any major accidents.
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Find your main water shut off valve
If a pipe were ever to burst inside your home, it can cause severe damage that will cost you a fortune. However, if you know how to shut off water from its main source, you can prevent such accidents very easily.
As a new homeowner, it’s crucial to know where your water shut off valve is. Most of the times, it’s placed near the street or an alleyway close to your home (although it’s not necessarily a rule). Once you find it, make sure you can close it whenever needed; some systems may require a crescent wrench or other special tools to physically turn the valve. You can just ask the former owner of your home or a specialist to direct you on every step, just to be ready in case of emergency.
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Before digging, call 811
Remember how there are all sorts of pipes and wires hid inside your home’s walls? The same goes for your backyard. Whether you want to build a fence or something more complex, you should make sure that you won’t accidentally damage any utilities located underground.
How can you do this? Well, it all starts with an 811 call. This is the National Dig-Safely Hotline, which can send a team of professional study your yard. These specialists can locate any pipes or other important wires in your backyard so you can dig safely anytime.
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Have a specialist trim your trees
I was talking about DIY projects earlier and how much we enjoy doing things for our own homes by ourselves. As much as I understand (and enjoy) these projects too, there are some things we should stay out of.
One of them is tree trimming.
In this case, I’m referring to big trees which have limbs or branches hanging over your roof or other areas of the house. No matter how many tutorials you watch or how well-equipped you are, old or dead branches are unpredictable and may suddenly break without any warning, so you should hire professionals as they can get a cherry picker hire company to get the equipment for your trees. These accidents can cause severe damage to your home and it’s just not worth the risk.
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Locate your circuit breaker box
Knowing where your main water shut off valve is (and how to use it) is essential for your home’s safety. Want to know something just as important?
The circuit breaker box.
Not only should you know where this box is located in your home, but ideally you should also check which fuses control different areas of your home. You can put a label on each fuse to make things easier in the future. This is important if you’re planning to work on projects that involve electricity or if there are electricity fluctuations in your neighborhood.
These are just a few of the most important aspects you should take care of when moving into any home. If there are any other pieces of advice we missed, feel free to write them down in the comment section!